Dirt Scoop Questions

I'm thinking about getting a dirt scoop - just bought a new house and need to do some drainage work in the yard and around all the outbuildings. I've got a box blade and grader blade; I know I can do it with those implements, it will just take time and patience but figured a dirt scoop would be a little better (in theory anyway) because I can carry the material to another location to be dumped.

Here is my question - by setting the pitch of the cutting edge pretty shallow, is a dirt scoop an effective tool to use as a dirt pan scraper to skim off the sod then make long, shallow, even cuts? Or do these require a more aggressive pitch on the cutting edge resulting in short, deep, gouging cuts? Do they cut pretty well on their own or is extra weight required? *I figure on using the disc to loosen things up a little at a time before trying to actually cut or grade anything...at least the sod anyway, then see what it's like as my soil seems to be very sandy.

I didn't realize they come in different sizes either, does it make much difference which size to look for? Looks like 24 or 30" seem to be the options.

I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it with a skid loader but don't have one of those in my arsenal yet lol. All the dirt work I've ever done has been with skid loaders or a big IMC carry all type scraper on a Deere 9330 so cutting drainage with a box blade or dirt scoop is a new ballgame for me.

Saw one of these scrapers (60" model) on CL about a month ago for I want to say $1,200 and now I'm kicking myself wishing I would have spent the money on it!! Sure could have put it to work for myself...then hired it out and got my money back!
DP60 Scraper
 
I've been using my bucket for a few years now and I think you've got the use of it pretty well figured out. For cutting through sod I run a line with a subsoiler to break up the root mass and make it a bit easier to get a grip with the bucket.

Skimming is the name of the game with them.
 
As Roger has already asked, what do you plan to pull it with?

You will not pull one of the linked pans with any vintage Ford.

Much can be done with patience and a three point slip scoop but they are not sod cutters.

Dean
 
The dirt pan would have been a good match with my 43 hp Case 1190. Probably use the Case and the 2n to double team the project. Put the disc on the 2n and the dirt scoop on the Case, or the box blade on the Case and the angle blade on the 2N.
 
I've used a dirt scoop on a few projects and had good luck with it.
My first project was to move a couple hundred yards of tailings I had piled up when I dug out a swamp with an old dragline I had.
Another project was to fill in a low spot that was collecting water by my driveway to the lake.
I carved off a little knoll and hauled it to fill the low spot. Round and round, back and forth. An evening here and afternoon there. It was fun, just running along about half throttle and I did move quite a bit of dirt that way.
Since then I use it less but if you get a reversible one they work good for hauling rocks out of your garden and deer plots after plowing/discing which is mainly how I use it now.
They also double as a tool hauler - shovels, phd, chains, chain saw, etc if you're working out somewhere.
Though I didn't know much about Ford Select O Speed tractors back when I was using it to dig and haul dirt, those transmissions would be a great asset for digging. You need low, slow power when you are digging but hate to crawl along so slow when you are transporting the dirt and returning for another load. So you either do a lot of shifting or you just crawl along.
With an SOS you can shift on the fly without clutching and it would be perfect for a job like that.
 
i have one of these Ford 706 scoops
it does pretty good and you can hook it up in reverse. which you need that option sometimes

I have owned three different models over the years and this one is by far the best.
if you work at it, you can move a lot of dirt,

but of course nothing like a front end loader or back hoe.

another option to loosen the dirt would be a one row cultivator, drag it through the area and that might work for you, it is best to loosen the ground first with a plow or some such tool.
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I generally agree Wellmax. Except for one thing.
Given the choice of a loader with no down pressure and a rear scoop I would take the scoop 2-1.
If you were just moving loose dirt the loader would be faster. But to excavate a knoll like I mentioned below it would be a poor choice compared to a scoop.
 
Update: made an unexpected detour on the way home this afternoon and snatched this one up for $50. 30" and seems to be in pretty decent shape. Now to try my hand at using it :)
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That was a very good deal. It looks in good shape.
When you try digging with it you'll quickly learn that to getting them to dig is all about getting the top link set just so. But it's easy to figure out so you'll catch on easy.
 
Got one just like it. good rig. I like it for patching roads, just trip going backwards and level it at the same time.
 

I never masted skimming with a scoop it took me 50 hr to somewhat master shimming with a good loader tractor. One thing I did learn is Live hydraulics and plenty of fuel is sure nice if you plan to scoop a lot. I was happy with a N's hydraulic till I brought a scoop it did not take me long to go live after I got into the scoop business.
 
I have used a dirt scoop a fair bit,and realy like them a lot. Back in the 80s one dry summer I built a small pond with one. That pond watered my small herd of cattle for years to come. I used a 2n with a Ferguson cultivator to break the hard pan and an 8n with the Dear-born scoop for the digging. I worked evenings and Saturdays on it, it took a while, but I have to say I enjoyed most of it. Unfortunately I do not have any pictures of that time, but am sending a few of me digging a few years ago with a 41 9n and the same scoop.
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Looks like you're doing some work!

Also looks like that little scoop loaded far better than I ever would have imagined.

And you sure can't argue with a big ol grin like that!
 
carpet.
one thing I forgot to mention on the operation of the scoop.
when you have the scoop in reverse position, you are pushing the scoop into the dirt in reverse.

((( I always use side stabilizer bars, at least one, otherwise, just as soon as the scoop hits the dirt it will go to one side or the other, if you keep pushing you can bend your lift arms.
the stabilizer bar keeps the scoop centered and both lift arms are pushing equally against the load.)

just be careful here until you are used to using the machine, when loaded with dirt/gravel, if you are traveling over rough ground the load can swing back and forth and can break one of your stop chains.

again just take your time until you know the machine. this scoop full may be a load for your tractor.
 

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